Short Marriage Ceremony

(10 minutes)

Bride is escorted in

Music stops

Introduction

Lance: We are assembled here in the presence of these witnesses to celebrate the joining of this man and this woman in the unity of marriage. There are no obligations on earth sweeter or tender than those you are about to assume. There are no vows more solemn than those you are about to make.

There is no human institution more sacred than that of the home you are about to form. True marriage is the dearest of all earthly relationships. The state of matrimony is based a deep, invisible union of two souls, who seek to find completion in one another.

Do you understand this?

Couple: Yes

Recognition of those not present

Lance: Specifically name parents, grandparents or siblings that have either passed or were physically unable to attend.

Presentation of the Couple

Lance: Who gives this couple in marriage?

Parents or Sponsors: We do.

The Challenge

Lance: Will you please face each other and join hands?

Groom, will you take this woman, whose hands you hold, choosing her alone to be your wedded wife? Will you live with her in the state of true matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, honor her at all times, and be faithful to her?

Groom: Yes

Lance: Bride, will you take this man, whose hands you hold, choosing him alone to be your wedded husband? Will you live with him in the state of true matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, honor him at all times, and be faithful to him?

Bride: Yes

Blessing of the Rings

I understand you have brought rings as a token of your sincerity?
Who has those rings?

Ring Bearer: I do.

Blessing of the Rings

Bless these rings, that each gives, receives, and wears as a token of the covenant between them and God, and may they ever abide in thy peace, living together in unity, in love, and in happiness, and with good purpose do thy will. Amen.

Exchange of Vows and Rings

As you take these I would have you remember that to love is to come together from the pathways of your past and move forward…Hand in hand, along the uncharted roads of your future, ready to risk, to dream, and to dare…. And always believe that all things are possible with faith and love in each other.

Couple places the ring of the other half way on the finger and repeats after Lance:

Groom:

I, Groom, take you, Bride,
to be my wife,
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, or for worse,
for richer, or for poorer,
in sickness, and in health,
to love and to honor
and to cherish unconditionally.
Forsaking all others, I will be faithful to you.
With This Ring, I Thee Wed
Let it ever be a symbol of our Love
And with this ring, I thee wed.

Bride:

I, Bride, take you, Groom,
to be my husband,
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, or for worse,
for richer, or for poorer,
in sickness, and in health,
to love and to honor
and to cherish unconditionally.
Forsaking all others, I will be faithful to you.
With This Ring, I Thee Wed
Let it ever be a symbol of our Love
And with this ring, I thee wed.

Declaration of Marriage

Lance: In as much as you, Groom, and you Bride, have consented together to this union of marriage, and you have pledged your faith to each other here in my presence, and the presence of this company, now by the authority vested in me as a minister for the state of State, I now announce that you are Husband and Wife!

You may kiss!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present Mrs. Bride First Name and Mr. Groom Full Name.